One of Australia’s most celebrated experts on digital media trends turned more than 100 staff from Star Alliance’s member airlines into ‘mini-futurists’ during the network’s annual national conference.
Ross Dawson, author of ‘Living Networks’, which predicted the social networking revolution, consults to some of the world’s largest organisations, including Ernst & Young, Microsoft and News Corp.
At the 2015 Star Alliance conference – held at Sydney Airport – Dawson provided insight into the driving forces shaping the future, including technology that is dissolving the human-machine boundary and the rapid evolution of the network economy.
Rachael Menzies – Air NZ; Rock Pomery – Air Canada; & Isobel Fenton – Singapore Airlines.
He also showed delegates how, by developing trust and working together, individuals and organisations can harness these forces to create the futures they desire.
Star Alliance delegates also heard from Sydney Airport Corporation’s Executive Director, Aviation Services, Shelley Roberts, who outlined the airport’s five-year development plan, which will see $1.2 billion spent on a broad range of initiatives, including new generation check-in and bag-drop kiosks.
Star Alliance Vice Chair Paul McLean with futurist Ross Dawson & Star Alliance Chair Michael Zorbas.
This year’s conference wrapped up with airside tour of Sydney Airport.
The past 12 months have been a busy period for Star Alliance with the airline expanding its network by adding Avianca Brasil, unveiling the first Round the World fare for Premium Economy and rolling out service innovations such as Gold Track, which provides First and Business Class passengers with priority clearance through airport security checkpoints.
Irmgard Goetjes-Pederson – SAS; & Anil Rodricks – Lufthansa Group.
Melbourne Airport recently became the first Australian facility to offer Gold Track, with other Australian ports due to introduce the service in coming months.
In Australia, Star Alliance has also undertaken training initiatives with major retail groups, sponsored a new category at this year’s National Travel Industry Awards, and received Australian Business Traveller’s inaugural ‘Best Airline Alliance’ award.
